Offseason program gives Mustangs look at team

STOCKTON - On Monday, Delta College football coach Gary Barlow caught the first look at his new football team.

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By Mark Godi

recordnet.com

By Mark Godi

Posted Jun. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Mark Godi
Posted Jun. 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - On Monday, Delta College football coach Gary Barlow caught the first look at his new football team.

The Mustangs' six-week summer session started this week with conditioning. Barlow, who is entering his 13th season, has some evaluating to do before the season opens on Sept. 7 at Chabot College in Hayward. Nearly every starter from last season's team that capped an 8-3 campaign with a 63-56 win over NorCal Conference co-champions DeAnza on Nov. 17 in the Silicon Valley Bowl, has moved on, including the top 11 tacklers on defense and all but three along the offensive line.

"Right now, we figure out who the best players are," Barlow said. "After that, it's what's the best place on the field for them to contribute.'"

Running back Theo Wofford returns after sharing time last season with De'Marieya Nelson, who now is at Arizona State. Wofford had 498 yards rushing and four touchdowns, despite missing some time with an ankle injury.

Wofford, who ran on the track team this spring, doesn't recognize many of the newcomers, but he's encouraged.

"I think it's going to be a good year because there is a lot of competition," he said. "There's a lot of guys at each position and they all look pretty good.

"This is when a lot of guys learn what you have to do to make it at this level."

The football team works out in the afternoon following morning sessions by Jordan Ferrell's men's soccer team and Adrienne Sorenson's women's soccer team.

Delta volleyball also has been working out in the mornings for coach Molly Mordaunt. Her team missed the playoffs last season after reaching the Elite Eight in the 2011 state tournament. She has six returning players and two standout newcomers from St. Mary's: outside hitter Jackie Ahloo and defensive specialist Taylor Blackmun.

Mordaunt has a rough idea about what her team will look like, but will hold one more open tryout in August. Right now, her focus is on conditioning.

"The summer is a really important time to make sure everyone is physically ready," she said.

"It's absolutely my job to make them hate me a little bit and spend some time out on the track."